An Albuquerque man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies at retail stores throughout the city in 2023. Demetrius Antonnie Bailey, 41, and an accomplice carried out robberies between July 11 and September 16, targeting Harbor Freight Tools, several Metro by T-Mobile locations, a T-Mobile store, a Verizon store, and JC Penney.
Court documents state that during these incidents, Bailey and his accomplice used a BB gun, a toy gun, and on one occasion a real handgun to threaten employees and security staff. The stolen items included electronics, cell phones, cash, and clothing valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
Bailey was arrested on September 28, 2023. At the time of his arrest he was found with a stolen firearm. He is described as a repeat violent offender with previous convictions for armed robbery.
Bailey pleaded guilty to ten counts: interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. After serving his sentence he will be subject to five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with help from the Albuquerque Police Department and New Mexico Department of Justice. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Natasha Moghadam are prosecuting the case.
